Eliminating lizards from your home can be challenging due to their excellent hiding skills and rapid reproduction rates. They are most commonly spotted near windows, where they seek warmth and bask in sunlight. Understanding their behavior is crucial for effective lizard control.
Before applying any lizard removal techniques, consider important factors such as their entry points and breeding habits. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the most effective strategies to get rid of lizards inside your house.
Top 13 Proven Methods to Get Rid of Lizards in Your Home
1. Eliminate Plants Around Your Property
Vegetation around your home provides shade and nesting spots for lizards, especially for egg-laying females. Removing or trimming back plants near your house significantly reduces suitable habitat for lizards, lowering their population pressure in your vicinity.
2. Maintain a Clean Home
A clean indoor environment discourages insects, which are the primary food source for lizards. Properly store food, clean up crumbs, and manage pet food areas to minimize attracting lizards seeking an easy meal.
3. Install Window Screens
Installing fine mesh window screens prevents lizards from entering your home while allowing ventilation. You can purchase and install these yourself or hire professionals for a more durable installation, effectively reducing indoor lizard intrusion.
4. Use Natural Lizard Repellents
Opt for natural repellents like Hot Pepper Wax, which combines organic materials and essential oils. These are safe for households and effectively deter lizards from entering treated areas without harmful side effects.
5. Keep a Cat as a Natural Predator
Cats naturally hunt lizards and can help control their population indoors and around your home. Having a cat can serve as a deterrent and reduce lizard sightings dramatically.
6. Use Targeted Poison Bait
In cases of severe infestation, poison bait specific to lizards can be an effective elimination method. Exercise caution to avoid harming non-target animals and follow all safety instructions thoroughly.
7. Trap Lizards with Cage Traps
Cage traps allow you to catch lizards alive using bait such as fruits or vegetables. This humane method lets you relocate lizards far from your property safely.
8. Utilize Glue Traps
Glue traps can capture lizards effectively by adhering them when they cross the sticky surface. Place traps in areas with high lizard activity for best results.
9. Eliminate Hiding Spots
Remove debris, clutter, and dense vegetation near your home. Trim trees and shrubs to maintain a minimum 2-foot clearance from your house and seal cracks in your home’s foundation where lizards may hide or enter.
10. Deploy Sonic Repellers
Sonic repellents emit sound waves that irritate lizards, encouraging them to leave the area without causing harm. This non-toxic method is environmentally friendly and safe for families.
11. Create Physical Barriers
Install a wire mesh fence at least 18 inches tall and buried 1 inch underground around your home to prevent lizards from climbing over or burrowing underneath.
12. Use Solar-Powered Lizard Chasers
Solar-powered lizard chasers use motion sensors and sunlight to activate, deterring lizards from entering your yard by creating movement that scares them away without any chemicals.
13. Consult a Professional Exterminator
If all else fails, professional exterminators have specialized tools and expertise to eliminate lizard infestations safely and efficiently.
Additional Insights on Lizard Prevention
Lizards tend to thrive in moist, cluttered environments and areas with abundant insects. Reducing moisture build-up around your home by repairing leaks and ensuring proper drainage can discourage lizard presence. Additionally, using natural deterrents such as garlic spray, egg shells, or naphthalene balls in strategic locations can repel lizards effectively. Maintaining good indoor lighting can also help, as lizards prefer dim, hidden spots. Regular home inspections, especially in warmer months, will help catch any new lizard activity early. Combining preventative practices with removal strategies is the key to a lizard-free home.
Conclusion
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Lizards can be an unwelcome presence in your home, but with consistent application of these 13 proven methods, you can effectively control or eliminate them. Whether you prefer humane traps, natural repellents, or professional help, practicing patience and persistence is paramount to long-term success.
FAQs
No, some of these methods may be more effective for specific species of lizards. It is important to research the type of lizard present in your home to select the most suitable control strategy.
Lizards may return if their breeding grounds, hiding places, or food sources remain accessible. Ensure all these factors are adequately addressed to prevent recurrence.
Depending on the removal method and infestation severity, it may take several days to a few weeks to eradicate lizards completely. Consistency and patience are essential during this period.
Complete absence of lizard sightings and sounds after a few weeks indicates successful removal. If lizards reappear, further action may be necessary.
